Oil sand protector



Nov. 20, 1934. E. WARD OIL SAND PROTECTOR Filed June 15, 1954 2 1. .I.. oooaooov a I .9 0 9 0 0 1 r o I. n 6 w I /I Home y Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED: STATES- 2 Claims.

This invention relates to oil well equipment and accessories and has reference to a unique device adapted for installation in the intake means of the Well structure adjacent the oil bearing sand, wherein said means is located between the working barrel and the usual embedded strainer to serve as a fluid feeding and regulating member.

Needless to say, I am aware of the fact that devices and means have been recommended for disposition at the point above stated for the purpose of aiding in separating water from oil and to facilitate gravitation of the oil bearing sands. In reducing the present invention to practice, I have discovered that through the employment and. use of a simple feed cylinder, it is possible to regulate the intake action of the water and oil in a manner to prevent unusual disturbance of the sands and to thereby render more efficient the operation of the pump in an oil well structure.

The device constituting the novelty of the instant case is accredited with possessing the requisite features and attributes capable of producing an unequaled achievementin this particular line of endeavor in that it is thoroughly practical andsusceptible of more or less controlling the suction of the pump so that as long as the fluid (water and oil) is at a predetermined level, it is sucked in and drawn up through the working barrel, and

when it is below a predetermined level is not materially agitated.

Other features and advantages will become 'more readily apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of the oil well and oil bearing sands and the string of piping embodying the improved intake and regulating device.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device per se.

Figure 3 is a transverse or horizontal sectional View taken on the plane of the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, the section being at right angles to Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals, and referring in particular to Figure 1, it will be observed that the bore designating the well is denoted by the numeral 7 and that the string of piping depends into this in the usual way. This piping embodies, among other parts, the conventional working barrel 8, and further includes the perforated pipe or container 9 embedded at an appropriate elevation in the oil bearing sands 10. The improved adapter unit or intake device is differentiated by the numeral l1 and is located between the parts 8 and 9.

This device 11 is essentially in the form of an elongated cylinder 12 of appropriate dimensions having tapered ends 13 merging into coupling nipples 14 and 15. The upper nipple 14 is joined by a suitable union 16 to the working barrel 8. The lower nipple 15 is joined by a similar coupling 17 to the strainer 9. This tapered end and nipple arrangement is utilized primarily to expedite incorporation of the device in the conventional piping line. At about its center, the cylinder 12 is provided with diametrically opposed fluid intake ports having mounted therein a horizontal transversely located inlet tube 18. This is provided with a plurality of ports or orifices 19 to facilitate passage and circulation of the incoming fluid (water and oil).

The device 11 has its lower end portion slightly embedded in the oil bearing sands with its upper end portion located above the normal level of said sand. This serves to position the ported tube at a slight elevation above the sand level. It follows that this is the normal position of the socalled sand protector or fluid regulating and intake device. By placing this device in the manner shown in the drawing, it will be evident that if the well is making a small amount of water, the sand is substantially full of water and the oil is above the sand in the hole. It is further evident that under these circumstances, when the pump is-started, it sucks in water first and oil thereafter. Consequently since the intake tube is above the sand, the sand is at all times covered with fluid and when the fluid column goes below a predetermined elevation, that is, below the tube 18, it serves as a vent and the incoming air serves to alter the suction and the pump stops working. Under ordinary conditions, where there is no sand protector, the water is left in the hole and eventually drowns the oil out. This device, however, overcomes such objections.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a vertically elongated cylinder provided intermedihaving its opposite end portions tapered to provide reduced tubular coupling members, said coupling members being externally screw threaded to accommodate a union for attachment of said ends to the working barrel and strainer respectively, said cylinder being provided intermediate its ends with diametrically opposed intake ports, and an apertured tube located in said ports with the apertures confined within the interior of the cylinder.

EDWARD WARD. 

